Lome, Togo (CNN) -- Forty-eight people, including 15
Burkina Faso nationals and a Nigerian, died Tuesday after a bus crash
in Togo, officials in the West African nation said. Fifteen others were
severely injured.
The accident happened
before dawn 108 miles (175 kilometers) north of Lome as a bus carrying
passengers to Lome collided with a truck, according to a government
statement read on state TV Tuesday evening. A minibus was also involved
in the crash.
before dawn 108 miles (175 kilometers) north of Lome as a bus carrying
passengers to Lome collided with a truck, according to a government
statement read on state TV Tuesday evening. A minibus was also involved
in the crash.
Survivors said the driver of the full-size bus mistook the truck for a motorbike because the truck had only one headlight.
Togo President Faure
Gnassingbe expressed his compassion to the families of the bereaved and
dispatched a couple of ministers to the scene.
Gnassingbe expressed his compassion to the families of the bereaved and
dispatched a couple of ministers to the scene.
About 300 people have
died in road accidents in Togo since January, officials said. More than
3,000 people lost their lives and more than 37,000 were injured on the
West African nation's roads in the past four years, with a record 753
people killed in 2012.
died in road accidents in Togo since January, officials said. More than
3,000 people lost their lives and more than 37,000 were injured on the
West African nation's roads in the past four years, with a record 753
people killed in 2012.
Causes include the bad
state of roads, vehicles that have mostly secondhand engines, speed,
failure to use seat belts or wear helmets, and driving without license.
state of roads, vehicles that have mostly secondhand engines, speed,
failure to use seat belts or wear helmets, and driving without license.
Road accidents have become a major cause of disabilities in Togo in the past two decades, health officials say.
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